Brings to mind this idea this sharp idea: "Power manifests itself in the regime's ability to impose its fictions upon the world. No one is deceived by the charade, but everyone is forced to participate in it" From Lisa Wedeen's brilliant book Ambiguities of Domination on Assad's Syria
OSSOFF: Who won the 2020 election? CLAYTON: Uhm, you know, I'm not going to do this with you O: This is a job interview. You have an obligation to be honest with the committee. Who won the 2020 election? C: I'm not gonna get into that with you O: You're not being honest or forthright C: ...